#OTD in 2012: Jon Lee

15 years ago today, the band suffer the loss of Jon Lee – Feeder’s original drummer.

It feels like only yesterday that the band became two, when on January 17 of 2002 in Miami, Florida, he took his own life.

To this day it remains a mystery – he was loved by all and he had a family, as well as his successful music career with the band.

Most successfully prior to his death, he had his hand in creating the fantastic albums Yesterday Went Too Soon and Echo Park. Both of which had received Gold certifications. Later after his death however, Echo Park went Platinum in 2003.

During his funeral, the song “High” was played. Following that difficult time, the band eventually took to the stage again. When they played at Reading/Leeds Festival, they dedicated “Quick Fade” to “absent friends”.

Moving on forward the band have been successful and thankful every step of the way, dedicating a lot of their efforts to Jon Lee. They won the “Best British Band” Kerrang! Award in 2003. They called it “the award Jon always wanted to win”.

2006’s The Singles album contained mostly tracks with Jon Lee, which quickly went Platinum.

2012’s Generation Freakshow also had the song “Hey Johnny” in tribute to the late drummer (which is a beautiful track may I add)!

Jon had such a taste for life, which makes this whole thing such a mystery to us all. He could be the life and soul of any party. Yet, quiet, sensitive and understanding to anyone that needed a friendly ear. I always felt there was a raging fire in his soul which he channelled into his drumming; showing no fear to anything he put his hand to… hope you are at peace now, Jon boy. Forever young. Your friend always.

– Grant Nicholas, during the funeral at St. Mary’s Church in Newport on 18 January 2002.